Dynamics of maternal morphogen gradients in Drosophila

Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2008 Aug;18(4):342-7. doi: 10.1016/j.gde.2008.06.002. Epub 2008 Jul 21.

Abstract

The first direct studies of morphogen gradients were done in the end of 1980s, in the early Drosophila embryo, which is patterned under the action of four maternally determined morphogens. Since the early studies of maternal morphogens were done with fixed embryos, they were viewed as relatively static signals. Several recent studies analyze dynamics of the anterior, dorsoventral, and terminal patterning signals. The results of these quantitative studies provide critical tests of classical models and reveal new modes of morphogen regulation and readout in one of the most extensively studied patterning systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Patterning / genetics
  • Body Patterning / physiology*
  • Drosophila / embryology*
  • Drosophila / genetics
  • Drosophila / metabolism
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / drug effects
  • Insect Proteins / metabolism*
  • Insect Proteins / pharmacology
  • Models, Biological
  • Morphogenesis / genetics
  • Morphogenesis / physiology*
  • Protein Transport
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Insect Proteins
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases